His three younger brothers all played in the Japanese professional leagues.

He announced his decision to enter the Japanese professional leagues at the end of the season.

The other player was a bit of an unknown because his glossy accomplishments had all occurred in the Japanese league.

Matsui, who played 1,143 consecutive games in a Japanese league, did not disagree that he needed a day off.

At 29, and after nine seasons in the Japanese professional leagues, he said he wanted a new challenge.

However, he spent most of the season at ni-gun (Japanese minor leagues).

Shannon also pitched in the Japanese major leagues in 1999.

If neither team has won after the 12th inning, the game ends in a tie, similar to the Japanese League.

He has managed for 16 seasons in the Japanese leagues and has won three championships.

House notices that Hank put on 20 pounds after spending the previous season in a Japanese league.